Taoiseach Enda Kenny stood firmly behind Richard Bruton despite his gaffe that could cost the Government votes in the fiscal treaty referendum.

The dream of a Europe-wide free travel scheme for senior citizens has been shot down by Tourism Minister Leo Varadkar, who said there was no such thing as “free travel”.

All €3 billion raised from the sale of state assets will be used to fund job creation following extensive negotiations with the Troika, said Reform Minister Brendan Howlin.

The battle over how to make agriculture sustainable and environmentally friendly stepped up a gear in Brussels as ministers haggled over how to distribute a proposed €380bn over six years.

Complex plans to raise billions of euro to fund projects and create jobs have been outlined to the European Investment Bank and European Commission.

Merkollande partnership forges ahead

European texting champions, post offices on every corner, eating out so often the domestic food bills were small, and leaving school early for well-paid jobs.

The reduction in labour costs in Ireland has been described as “remarkable” by the European economics commissioner Olli Rehn, who said further falls were expected this year and next.

When Irish finance ministers are smiling

Growth the buzzword in PMs’ graveyard